Vodafone India, the nation’s second-biggest telecom firm, has put on hold a planned initial public offering (IPO) over lack of clarity on rules around spectrum and cellular permits.
“At this moment we have put that (IPO) on hold because we need first clarity about our licence extensions and the pricing of spectrum,” Vodafone India Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Marten Pieters said.
The British telecom giant Vodafone Group Plc’s India arm had planned to list locally after an IPO but it is currently focused on extension of its licences in key circles of Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata, that are coming up for renewal in November 2014.
The government has rejected Vodafone’s demand for extension and asked the mobile operator to bid for airwaves to continue services in these areas.
The telecom operator had sought the extension under Clause 4.1 of the licence agreement. The government can extend the period of licence by 10 years at one time if the request is made by the operator during the 19th year of the licence period.
Mr Pieters, however, welcomed the government’s decision to allow 100 per cent foreign direct investment in the telecom sector.
“100 per cent FDI was welcomed by Vodafone because we think that we need more growth opportunity in the future financially and actually Indian ownership was a restriction,” he said.
“...if you want to strengthen your balance sheet by bringing in equity, your Indian partner is also required to bring in equity which is of course tough,” Mr Pieters added.
Meanwhile, the parent company has sought FIPB approval to invest Rs 10,141 crore in raising its stake in the Indian arm to 100 per cent.
The UK-based firm will buy minority investors including billionaire industrialist Ajay Piramal, who holds 11 per cent stake in Vodafone India. The remaining 25 per cent interest is with undisclosed minority shareholders, who are understood to include Analjit Singh, chairman of Vodafone India.
